Gas-retort-charging apparatus.



No. 717,334. Patented Dec. 30, I902.

v G. A. BRUNDEB.

GAS BETOR T CHARGING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Jan. 18, 1902.) (No Model.) 5 3 Sheets$heei I.

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"No. 70,334. Patentd Dec. 30', I902. a. A. BRONIJER.

GAS BETORT CHARGING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Jan. 18, 1902.)

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(No Model.)

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(Application filed Ja n. 18, 1902.)

GAS BETORT CHARGING APPARATUS (No Model.)

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GASTON A. BRONDER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

oAs-R'EToRT-oHARciNo APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 717,334, dated December 30, 1902.

Application filed January 18, 1902. Serial No. 90.306. (No model.)

To wZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GASTON A. BRONDER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Brooklyn, in the county of 5 Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas- Retort-Oharging Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionrelates to gas-retort-charging apparatus; and its primary object is the production of means by which coal and the like can be fed into the retorts of retort-stacks, so as to lay the coal, &c.,in layers of various thicknesses therein, because the heating capacity of the retorts is greater at the sides than at the bottoms thereof. By means of this distribution of the coal a uniform carbonization is obtained, the coal being placed in thicker layers at the sides of the retorts than at'the bottom, which at the same time leaves a channel through the coal parallel to the longitudinal axis of the retort for the passage and exit of the gases generated.

-A further object is to produce apparatus of such form and construction that it will deposit sufticient charges of coal, 850., into the retorts to obtain the largest capacity of charging apparatus applicable to the respective retorts, with the maximum efficiency.

With these objects in view the organization of my invention comprises scoops provided with scraper-frames from which are pivoted scrapers that project into and extend approximately to the bottom of each scoop, with one scraper secured to each of said frames without pivots and extending to nearly the bottom of its respective scoop, a lifting-plow secured to each scoop, projecting into and extending beyond the same,and hinged covers, retainers,

o d0ors, or slides connected'with the scrapers to alloweach scoop, with its plow, to pass the scrapers, when it is receding from its scraperframe to empty its charge into its retort. In conjunction with these essential elementsI 5 have shown, described, and claimed an improved locking device for the scoops and also an improvement in the mechanism for accelerating the movements of the scraper-frames with their scrapers beyondthe positions of the scoops when in their respective retorts.

I have shown my invention applied'to a complete gas-retort-charging apparatus and have fully pointed out the specific functions of the present invention thereto, although it is evident that the same may be applicable to various other forms of apparatus.

Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional View of three retorts with their scoops and scraperframes carried on a double carriage. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section of Fig. 1 on the line B. Figs/3 and 4 show, respectively, an elevation and plan of a locking-bar and its supporting-angle. Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a scoop with its appurtenances.

.Fig. 6 represents a side elevation of Fig. 5.

Fi 7 is a'front view of a scra er.

jfied form of swinging scraper and a section,

as on the line m m of Fig. 6, and also an outline of a retort. Fig. 15 shows an enlarged section on the line 00 m of Fig. 14.. Fig. 16 shows an enlarged section of Fig. 14 on the line 06 m 1 Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a double carriage-charging apparatus is shown, omitting in Fig. 2 the hopper to avoid confusion. The main carriage has embodied with or fixed upon it tracks a a, which are arranged transversely to the stationary track B on the floor of the retort house. The tracks a a support the wheels 6 of a second carriage or scoop-carriage E E, which carries the scoops F F F that are arranged to be capable of entering the retorts A A A The main carriage O G O supports a coal-hopper H to supply coal to the scoops. The hopper is divided into three compartments, one for supplying each of the scoops. The main carriage carries the engine 0* for its own propulsion and the engine E* to propel the scoop-carriage E E" on the tracks a a to move the scoops into and out of the retorts.

The scoops consist each of a long box T, open at the top and forward end. At the rear end of each scoop there is a permanent weight I, by which it is balanced horizontally with the coal charge in it and weighed down when empty, so as to lift or tilt up the forward end somewhat. While the scoops are in operation they are locked to the carriage E E, and when they are brought back by this carriage to the position for charging their back ends are stopped by and eventually lie on barsg', fastened to the main carriage. Within each scoop and lying loosely upon the upper edges thereof is a scraper-frame J, consisting of T- shaped side bars J with stops J and crossbraces J, a series of scrapers J pivoted to the cross-braces,so that their lower edges will swing forward to allow them to pass backward freely over any coal underneath them, but will stop the coal in front of them. A rear scraper J ,with slides,is rigidly secured to the scraper-frame J, and it forms the back coalspace in the scoop, while the bumper J is drawn back against a stopj in the scoop. The scraper-frame is capable of a movement back and forth relatively to the scoop to an extent a little greater than the length of that part of the scoop which contains the charge in order that, first, after the scoop with the scraperframe in it has been moved forward into the retort with the charge of coal nearly to the back end thereof, as illustrated by F in Fig. 1, the scraper may have a still further movement to push the charge of coal up to the extreme rear end of the said retort, and, second, that the scoop may while the scrapers remain thus pushed forward move back far enough, as illustrated by F, Fig. 1, to be withdrawn from the charge in the retort while the scrapers continue to hold back the charge. In order to counterbalance the weight of that portion of the scraper-frame which with the scrapers projects beyond the end of the scoop during and immediately after the discharge of the scoop from the retort,as just described, the said frame is loaded at its rear end by a weightj. For the purpose of producing the continued movement just described of the scrapers within the scoop beyond the movement of the latter within the retort a lever K is pivoted bya fulcrum-pin to the weight I or back part of the scoop, a roller 76* in one end of said lever bearing against the said weight j or back part of the scraper-frame, and the other end with its roller 70 projecting laterally from the scoop, so that during the latter part of the forward movement of the scoop the said projecting end with roller 70 comes in contact with astop carried on the locking-bar angles V, after which the continued forward movement of the scoop causes the scraper-frame and scrapers to move forward with an accelerated velocity relatively to the scoop. The drawing back of the scraperframe to bring the scrapers back into the scoop is effected by means of a bar L, which I term the backing-bar, two pulleys Z Z, and a rope or chain M. The said backingbar is fitted to slide back and forth lengthwise of the scoop in guides provided within the same. While the scraper-frame is held stationary to permit the discharge of the coal into the retort by the drawing back of the scoop the backing-bar L is projected back through the rear of the scoop with a movement of two to one in proportion to the movement of the scoop by means of the pull of the scoop on the rope or chain M. This projection of the backing-bar continues until the scraper-frame has been unlocked by the lifting of the locking-bar V, disengaging the hook r on the said bar from corresponding hooks r on the end of the scraper-frame. The locking-bar is then immediately by the continued movement of the scoop brought against a stop g on the main carriage C C 0 and by the further continued backward movement of the scoop, while the bar is so stopped, the said bar is caused to be returned within the scoop and by the action of the rope or chain M and pulleys Z Z to draw back the scrapers to the position they are to occupy while the latter is being charged and while it is running to charge the retort.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, and 4, one of my improvements comprises the rollers 11, which are journaled to the ends of the locking-bars V, that swing from the locking-bar angles V. The locking-bars V terminate at the front ends in the detaining-hooks r which are in their normal positions and ready to detain the scraper-frame in the bottom locking-bar F Fig. 1, it being so fulcrumed that the weight of the end 1?, with its roller 1;, brings the other end against the projecting portion 70 of the stop 7e carried on the locking-bar angle V. When the scoop with its scraperframe is withdrawn from the retorts, one of the projecting hooks r is locked with the hook r of the locking-bars.

The scraper-frame J in the middle retort shows its position when nearly fully retained in the said retort and the scoop brought forward far enough for the scoop-carriage to have scraped nearly all the coal off the scoop. The locking-bars are nearly out of engagement and shortly will be raised by the action of the unlocking or tipping cam P, carried on the horizontal inner braces of the scoop-carriage, which raises the ends 1: of the lockingbars V and naturally lowers the other ends of the same, and consequently lowers out of engagement the locking-hooks. The position of the scoop-carriage for the relative position of the locking-hooks is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Other particular and specific features of the invention, which are claimed in this application, consist of the means employed to provide scrapers on the scraper-frames, which present complete walls or stops across the scoops when they are receding from the scrapers to be emptied of their charges and which will allow plows that are carried by the said scoops to pass under the said scrapers. To accomplish these desirable results, the scrapers J Figs. 5 to 9, have pivoted thereon scoops are opposite the retorts.

swinging covers or doors W, the free ends-of which slide under guides 20' on the said scrapers.

Projections on the swinging covers or doors control the lifts of the said doors and prevent disengagement from theguides w. The scrapers have triangular openings, (indicated by the line w ta 10 and each door has an opening in the bottom portion thereof, (indicated at The scrapers, with their main portion securely attached to the scraper-frames, are shown in Figs. 10 to 12 and comprise the main portion J with a triangular opening y y y and guides g thereon for a slide Y, and the said slide carries guides g for a secondary slide Y, which has cut therein a triangular opening g p On the bottom face of the scoop there is fastened a plow Z, consisting of the inclined sides z and inclined end 2 a portion of the same triangular in cross-section extending beyond the scoop.

In Figs. 13 to 16 I show a modification of the swinging scrapers, the blades J of which are cut out at the bottom, as shown by the line i t t. Projections 15 extend from the scraper, which with a cover i form an inclosure for the cover or slide U, which latter has a cut in the bottom portion of the same.

To operate my invention, the coal-hopper H of the charging apparatus is filled with coal, the scoop-carriage being initsrearmost position close to the uprights C the empty scoops are locked to the scoop-carriage E E, and are then opposite the hopper; The main carriage is brought to a position in which the The scoops are next charged from the troughs of the hopper, and the coal is brought between and in front of all the scrapers. The engine E* is started to run the scoop-carriage forward to carry the coal-laden scoops into the retorts, the front ends of the plows Z being brought not quite to the rear of the retorts, as F Fig. 1. In this position the movements of the scoop-carriage, scoop, and scrapers are arrested by the stoppage of the engine; but

just before this stoppage occurs the forward rear engaging hookspass the hooks of the locking-bars, and the scraper-frames and the scoops with their plows are pushed to the rear ends of the retorts. To run back the scoopcarriage and scoops,the attendant reverses the engine E*, and during the first part of this movement the scraper-frames are detained by the locking-bars and the scrapers are held back, and thereby the coal is held back by them and discharged from the scoops into the retorts as the scoops recede, and as the plow of each scoop comes under the scrapers the hinged covers, doors, or slides thereof rise to allow the said plows to pass, which latter as they travel through the coal lift the central portion of the same, dividing and directing it to the sides of the retorts by sliding on the inclined sides of the plows. The discharge of the coal from the scoops lightens their front ends, and they with the scrapers are lifted by the weights I and], the scrapers being by this lifting raised nearly clear of the coal in the retorts. When the scoops have run back clear of the coal in theretorts, the unlocking-cams P on the scoop-carriage by their actions on the rollers Q; at the rear ends of the locking -,bars liberate the scraperframes, so that the said frames with the scrapers and plows will be free to be drawn back into the scoops by the action of the locking barL and the rope or chain M, in combina tion with the pulleys Z Z. The scoops are now in position relatively to the hoppers to be re filled for a repetition of the charging operation when the main carriage shall have been movedto the next retort.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In a retort-charging apparatus the combination of a scoop, a scraper-frame on the scoop, scrapers extending from the scraperfranie, openings in the scrapers, and covers actuatingon the scrapers over the said openlngs.

2. In a retort-charging apparatus the combination of a scoop, a plow on the scoop, a scraper-frame arranged to slideon the scoop, scrapers extending from the said "frame and into the scoop, openings in the scrapers, covers over the said openings arranged to open the said openings by the plows bearing thereon.

3. In a retort-charging apparatus, the combination of a scoop, a scraper-frame on the scoop, a plow on the scoop, scrapers extending from the-scraper-frame into the scoop, openings in the scrapers, covers hinged to the scrapers over the said openings, and arranged to open the said openings by the plow when the scoop moves relatively to the scraper.

4. In a retort-charging apparatus, thecombination of a scoop, a scraper-frame on the scoop, scrapers pivoted from the scraperframe and extending into the scoop, stops on the scraper-frame for the pivoted scrapers, a scraper rigidly secured to the scraper-frame and extending into the scoop, openings in all the scrapers, covers actuating over the said openings, a plow on the scoop and arranged to raise all the said covers, when the scoop is receding relatively to the scraper-frame.

5. In a retort-charging apparatus, the combination of a scoop, a scraper-frame on the scoop, scrapers pivoted from the scraperframe and extending into the scoop, openings in the said scrapers, covers over the said openings, a scraper rigidly secured to the said scraper-frame and extending into the scoop, an opening in the rigidly-secured scraper, slides on the said rigidly-secured scraper, a plow on the scoop arranged to open the covers on the pivoted scrapers and the slides on the rigidly-secured scraper when the scoop is moving relatively to the scraperframe.

6. In a retort-charging apparatus, the combination of a scoop, a scraper-frame on the scoop, scrapers pivoted from the scraperframe and extending into the scoop, stops on the said frame for the scrapers, openings extending up from the bottom edges of the said scrapers, covers over the said openings, a scraper rigidly secured to the said scraperframe and extending into the scoop, an opening extending up from the bottom edge of said scraper, a main slide actuating over the opening in the rigidly-secured scraper, an opening in the said slide, a secondary slide actuating on the main slide, a plow in the bottom of the scoop at the outer end thereof and extending beyond the end of the scoop and arranged to open all the said covers and the slides by virtue of the plow engaging therewith when the scoop recedes from the scraper-frame, and closing the said covers and slides when the scraper-frame and scoop move to approach each other.

7. In a retort-charging apparatus, the combination of a scoop, two T-irons, cross-braces and stops thereon sliding on the scoop, scrapers extending from the said cross-braces into close proximity to the bottom of the scoop, triangular openings in the scrapers extending up from their bottom edges, covers actuating over the said openings, a plow triangular in vertical cross-section with its base at the bottom of the scoop and extending across the same and inclined from its apex to extend into the scoop and extending withits full triangular contour outside of the scoop, the plow raising all the covers when receding from the scraper-frame, and the covers closing the openings when the motions of the said frame and scoop are reversed.

8. In a retort-charging apparatus, thecombination of locking-bar support angles thereon, tipping cams secured to a scoop-carriage operating on the charging apparatus, lockingbars fulcrumed to the said locking-bar support angles, rollers in the ends of the locking-bars engaging the said tipping cams for unlocking the said locking-bars.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 16th day of January, A. D. :3.

GASTON A. BRONDER.

Witnesses:

LEET AUSTEN, CHAS. J. GEFVERT. 

